Electrical call or alarm device.



TORNEYS Patented Aug. 6. 190|, A. B. MILLER.

ELECTRICA-L CALL 0B ALARM DEVICE.

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

'(No Model.)

vwnNEssEs ma mams FUER; co. Hom-uma, Nummern n. c.

No. 680,059. Patented Aug. 6, I90I. A. B. MILLER.

ELECTRICAL CALL DVR ALARI DEVICE.

(Application led Feb. 25, 1901.)

(lo Model.) l 3 Sheets-Shut 2.

WITANESSES! INVENTUMI .Bbemnsmna www BY f me Nonms neas co.. momurno. wAsnmm'cm, n. c.

No. 680,059. Patented Aug. 6, |90I.

A. B. MILLER. ELECTRICAL CALLv 0R ALARM DEVICE.

(Application led Feb. 25,1901.)

3 Sheets-Shadi 3.

(No Model.)

10M. INVENTOB` l IIlIlllIlIllI-III Ill LIII ATTORNEYS.

1n: Nonms mns co., Puoraumo.. WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

ALEXANDER B. MILLER, OF NEWARK, NEV JERSEY.

ELECTRICAL. CALL OR ALARM DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION fOrmng part Of Letters Patent N 0. 680,059, dated August 6, 19071.

Application filed February 25, 1901. Serial No. 48,757. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern.'

Beit known that I, ALEXANDER B, MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Call or Alarm Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,'clear,`and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled.

in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters and numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

The objects of this invention are to enable a hotel clerk to awaken or call up a person occupying a room in a hotel or the like at a given time in accordance with instructions previously given without the trouble on the part of the clerk or attendant of keeping the matter in mind and without the possibility of an oversight and the annoyance incident to such oversight. At present the common practice of traveling men is to notify the clerk of the hotel of the timey at which the person desires to be called or awakened should he wish to catch an early train or meet an engagement. This has required the making of a memorandum of the ordered call, and-should.

electrical call or alarm device and in the ar rangements and combinations of parts of the same,v all substantially as will be hereinafter set forth and finally embraced inthe clauses of the claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters and numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the several views, Figure l is a front elevation of an alarm-clock and diagrammatic plan By means of the electrical connections with said clock. Fig. 2 is a rear view of said clock. Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of a portion of a certain rear, plate or board of said clock. Fig. 4 is a section taken at line x of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section at line y of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a perlar to Fig. 8, but showing in addition lthereto a certain superposed pinion and cog-wheel of the clock. Fig. l0 is a section taken at line 'Lz/"of Fig. 8. Fig. l1 is a perspective detail of a fulcrumalplate for holding a certain lever-like contact-arm in operative'relation, and Fig. 12 is a perspective view of said contact-arm.

In said drawings, a indicates a clock, of any ordinary construction, inclosed in a case b, also of any suitable construction and providling supports for electrical appliances herein,- after described. Near the front of said case, below said clock, are arranged vertical series of horizontal metallic terminal plates or strips c c c, and closely adjacent but not in contact with said terminal plates c c c are horizontal series of vertical metallic terminal plates or strips d CZ d, there being preferably two series of each of said plates or strips, as indicated in Fig.l 3. `There the vertical and horizontal plates c CZ crossone another, viewed 4from the front or rear, said plates are perforated, as at e e, the perforationsbeing inhorizontal alinement to receive contact-pins f, adapted to be thrust through said perforations from the front and close the circuits upon which said terminal plates are stationed, as will be hereinafter more fully described. Said metallic strips or plates are fastened, respectively, upon vertical front and rearward boardsor plates of non-conductive material, such as wood, the front board g, Figs. l and 7 being perforated, as at h, the perforations being in horizontal alinement with the perforations e in the terminal strips or plates, so that the pin f may be thrust from the front of the case through said front board: and said vertical and horizontal strips to effect the desired contacts and electrical connections.

IOO

tive location corresponding with the horizontal series of perforations h.

The vertical plates are in connection, by means of suitable conducting-wires l Z Z, each with an electric alarm bell or sounder m, of any suitable construction, the several bells being distributed through the rooms of the hotel, each in a room where it may be sounded to awaken or call the occupant of said room. Said bells are also connected with a battery n by means of a wire or wires 0 and through wires o with an arbor or shaft p within the case a, preferably at the rear thereof on an insulated board or plate q, which maybe the Wooden or non-conductive back plate or board of the case, as indicated in Figs. 2, 4,1and 5. Upon said back board q, concentric with the shaft p, is stationed a fixed ratchet-wheel 7', and on-said shaft is an arm s, of insulating material, such as wood, which projects ra dially from said shaft a distance beyond the ratchet-wheel and is provided with a springpawl which serves to prevent back 4movement of the arm and as a lever for operating a contact-arm u, so that at a given moment the said contact-arm will be brought down upon a terminal contact c to close the alarmbell circuit, if otherwise closed by the pin. The terminal contacts QJ are disposed in an annular series about the shaft p, the contacts being preferably forty eight in number, equally distributed apart in the circle. The contact-arm u is fuierumed upon ahinge-leaf u', the said-arm being bent, as at u2, to enter the said leaf, as indicated in Figs. 10 and 12.

The lever-like contactarm is further bent at its end opposite its point of contact with the terminals o, as at a3, so as to'engage and be operated by the pawl t, and so that when the pawl t revolving -about the fixed ratchetwheel r with the arm s, rides over a ratchettooth or moves out from a notch between two ratchet-teeth said pawl will effect a turning of the lever-like contact-arm u on itsfulcrum and raises the contact end of said arm away from the terminal. After passing a ratchettooth and the consequent releasing of said contact-arm the spring 7 acts to press the free contact end of said arm down upon the terminal to close a circuit and effect a ringing of one of the bells, provided the circuit is elsewhere closed. The electricalcurrent, when the contact above described is made, passes from the terminals Q: to the arms u and thence through the spring 7,*now serving as a conductor, to the shaft p, which in turn is inelectrical connection with the Wire o and battery fn. The current may of course iowin reverse direction. The teeth of the ratchet-wheel are so related to the contact-arm as to cause said arm to be heldaway from the plane of the terminal contacts fU' until the desired moment when the pawl passes over the ratchet-tooth, when the arm it is permitted to drop or move into connection, and thus the closing of the circuit at this point in the device is governed rather by the' ratchet-wheel than by the eX- actlocation of-the terminals v. I thereby obtain greater exactness and regularity, as the contacts may be made on time even though the terminals o should be disposed somewhat irregularly on the board. The movable termin'al is in `electrical connection with the'arm u through a conductor 7. The terminals Q) are in electrical connection through wires l with the plates c, and in the preferred arrangement of parts one terminal will connect with a strip on one side of the space between the series. The next terminal is-in connection with the next strip on the same side of said space. A third terminal c is in connection with a first strip opposite the first, before referred to.. Afourth terminal will be in connection with a strip c, below the third strip above referred to, to complete the hour group, and so on, each terminal of the annular series being` in connection with its strip.. Tol turn thev arm s', I have provided in connection with the arbor 3 of the clock an arm 4, Fig. 5, which extends radially from said arbor and at a distance from the axial line of said arbor is bent to engage the said arm s, so that as said arm 4 is turned by the train of motive mechanism (not shown) of the clock said arm s will also be turned, as will be understood upon reference to Figs. 3, 4, 5, 8', 9, and 10. On said arbor 3 with the arm 4 is a cog-wheel 5, having forty-eight teeth, representing the forty-eight quarter-hours of the day.V Said cog-wheel 5 is engaged by a fourleaved pinion 6, arranged on the minutehand shaft 30 of the clock, each quarter-revolution of the minute-hand arbor and pinion 6 effecting a one-tooth turn of the cog-wheel and a movement of the arm s, and contact terminal fromI one terminal v to the next in annular series, and thus the parts being properlyv adjusted as the clock-hand turns with its arbor thev movable terminal u is turned and at the quarter-hour mark of the clock the contact-terminals u u are closed into electrical connection,'but because of the break in the circuit at the terminals c d no alarm is generally effected or other electrical effect accomplished; but should the clerk or attend- Aant upon the device insert the pinfthrough one of the perforations e and connect one of the terminal plates e with one of the plates d the circuit at c d will be completed when the contact-terminals 1w are in engagement, and as a result the bell in connection with IOO IIO

the particular terminal plates connected will be rung by the electrical means common in such bells, and as will be clearly understood. Thus in practicing the invention should the attendant insert the .pin or metallic peg f in the holes or perforations h e at the top of one of the vertical series of holes marked A, Fig. 1, of the front board, opposite the horizontal series' marked 30, or near the hourmark 1, then will the clock operating the movable terminal u in due time close said movable terminal against the fixed terminal in the annular series in .connection with the terlninal plate opposite said 30 mark, automatically completing the circuit including the bell in room A, ringing said bell, so that the occupant of roomA is awakened or called, so that he may be in readiness to catch his train, should that be his desire. By the means thus described it will be seen that any or all of the bell-circuits may be partly closed long previous to the time of the final closing, and the preliminary closing may be performed immediately upon thereceipt Vof the order to call up the occupant, and there will thus be no danger of a later ringing or alarm because of a change of attendants, forgetfulness, &c.

I can make other arrangements of the terminal plates and make other dispositions of the room and hour marks or'indications without departing from the invention and also vary the construction of the working parts from what I have above described in positive terms.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is--- l. In combination with the case Z), having at the top a clock a, a vertical series of horizontal metallic terminal plates c, a horizontal series of vertical terminal plates d, d, crossingone another, said plates being perforated in alinement to receive connecting contactpins, boards for holding said series of plates in relative positions out of contact with one another, the front board being perforated in alinement with the perforations of the terminal plates and having each vertical row of perforations marked with a room number or letter and each horizontal row of perforations marked with a time-indication, said vertical plates being each in electrical connection with an alarm bell or sounder distant from said case and With an arbor or shaft p, Within or on said case at the rear thereof on an insulated board or plate, a ratchet-Wheel fixed on the last said board or plate concentric with said arbor, an arm of insulating material arranged on said arbor or shaft p, and projecting beyond the ratchet-wheel and at its free end provided with a pawl t, and a contactarm u, an annular series of terminal contacts arranged on said board concentric with the shaft or arbor p, and adapted to be engaged by said arm u, connections of said annular series terminal contacts with the series of horizontal plates crossing the vertical plates, clock connections for turning the arm of insulating material, an electrical battery and a circuit-closing pin, all arranged and adapted to operate substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a vertical series of horizontal terminal plates c, a horizontal series of vertical terminal plates d, means for connecting any two of said plates where they cross, a circular series of terminals, an arm pivoted at 'the center of said circularseries, a contact-hammer fulcrumed on said arm, means for tripping said hammer at intervals and causing a percussion with one of the terminals, one set of the first-mentioned terminal 'plates being each in electrical connection with an alarm bell or sounder, a battery and through the pivot of the said arm with the said contact-hammer carried thereby, and the other set being each in connection with a terminal ofthe said circular series, a clock independentrfromvand outside of the electrical circuits, and means for transmitting motion from said clock to the rotary arm.

3. In an alarm or call device, .the combination of a circular series of terminals, an arm pivoted at the center of said series, a contact-hammer fulcrumed on said arm, means forvuniformly rotating said arm, means for tripping said hammer at intervals to effect a percussive blow upon the terminal of the circular series, and circuit-wires terminating in the said terminalsvand contact-hammer, respectively.

4. In an alarm or call device, the combination of a series of terminals, an arm adapted to travel along over said series of terminals, a` contact-hammer fulcrumed on said arm, means for tripping said hammer at intervals, and circuit-wires.

5. In an alarm or call device, the combination of a series ot' terminal knobs, a traveling arm adapted at intervals to effect a percus- IOO IOS

sive blow at right angles' to its normal plane of movement upon said knobs, means for actuating said arm, and circuit-wires connected to said arm and terminals.

6. In a hotel call device, the combination with a series of bell-circuits adapted to be closed by the clerk or attendant, said circuits being each broken near a clock, of a clockcontrolled circuit-closing connection comprisprising a terminal arm having a pawl, a fixed ratchet-wheel engaged by said pawl, a hammer on said arm .connected to the pawl, a series of terminal knobs adapted to be struck by the said hammer, and a clock connection for operating said terminal arm and insulated therefrom substantially as set forth.

7. In an electric call device, the combination of a circular series of terminal knobs, a rotary arm pivoted at the center of the series, a contact-hammer fulcrumcd on said a'rm in position to strike the terminal knobs,a spring in electrical connection with the pivot of said arm, and pressing against the said hammer to normally depress it and at the same time conduct the current thereto, a bent lever or pawl piyoted onthe arm and engaging said IIO hammer, a fixed ratchet or the like engaging said paWl, means for rotating said arm, and circui t-Wires connected to said terminal knobs and pivot of the arm. Y

8. In an electric calldevice, the combination With a series of terminal knobs and circuit-Wires leading thereto, of a rotating arm s, a percussion-ham mer thereon fulcrnmed on the upper side of the arm and having an extension n3, bent to lie beneath the said arm, a ratchet-Wheel beneath the arm s, a pawl pivoted on the lower side of the arm and adapted to be pressed by the ratchet-teeth against the extension us, of the hammer' to operate the same, a circuit-Wire connected to the pivot of said arm s, and meansfor conducting the current to the hammer.

9. In an electrical calling or alarm device,

having arbor 30,l pinion 6, cog-Wheel 5, and

the combination with the case b, and clock a,

ALEXANDER B. MILLER.

Vitnesses:

CHARLES H. PELL, C. B. PITNEY. 

